Adjustable balance for chain saw handle



Oct. 31, 1961 G. R. ROOT ADJUSTABLE BALANCE FOR CHAIN SAW HANDLE Filed Oct. 6, 1960 IN V EN TOR.

A 7' 7' OENEJ S dE-ORE 12 [Z BY United States Patent Q "ice 3,006,388 ADJUSTABLE BALANCE FOR CHAIN SAW HAND This invention relates to portable motor driven chain saws adapted for felling trees and sawing up timber, and more particularly to an apparatus for adjustably balancing the handles and frame of the saw.

Portable saws of this character have removable saw bars so that the bar and chain thereon may be interchanged for a longer or shorter bar as desired depending upon the type of work involved. Inuse of the bars of difierent lengths, the saw becomes unbalanced by use of the apparatus should the bar be extremely long or extremely short. Also, different operators may like the saw to be balanced difierently.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a frame and handle arrangement for a portable saw which may balance the weight thereof to suit the operator.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a frame for mounting the motor and saw bar; to provide a handle on the frame adjustable fore and aft of the motor to provide balance to the saw; to provide a side frame member for attachment of the saw bar; to provide said side member with an extension or upstanding lug having a slot therein longitudinally of the frame memher; to provide the handle frame with a downwardly extending portion which extends parallel with said lug but outwardly thereof; to provide a pair of clamping members engaging said rod; to provide the rod and said clamping members with openings aligning with the slot in said lug for receiving a bolt for attaching the downwardly extending end of the handle frame to said lug; to provide the outside of said lug with a plurality of notches or serrations; to provide one of said clamping members with like grooves or serrations mating with the grooves on the lug, whereby tightening of the bolt will hold the handle frame adjustably mounted to said lug and by loosening of the bolt the handle may be moved fore and aft of the motor by movement of the bolt in said slot in the lug; to provide the frame with a substantially L-shaped rod having a loop or hearing member on one end engaging the handle frame outwardly and spaced from said side member of the frame and having the rear end of said rod turned laterally and secured to the rear portion of said side frame; to provide the handle frame with an arm extending transversely forwardly of said motor and having its end engaging the forward lower portion of said side frame and rotatable therein and in said loop member on said rod whereby the upper portion of the handle frame may be moved fore and aft by loosening of the bolt securing the clamping members to said lug, and to provide a device of this character simple and economical to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth by Way of illustration and example certain embodiments of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of my chain saw particularly illustrating the adjustable handle frame.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the saw showing the handle frame adjustable in dotted lines.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional fragmentary view particularly illustrating the adjustable means for moving the handle fore and aft on the frame.

3,006,388 Patented Oct. 31, 19 61 FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional fragmentary view of the lower transverse pontion of the handle memr her and its attachment to the side member of the frame.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

1 designates a portable chain saw embodying the features of my invention comprising, a motor 2 having the usual gasoline tank 3 mounted on a frame 4. The frame 4 consists of a substantially flat vertically extending side member 5 having the lower rear portion 6 and a fQI-r ward and downwardly extending portion 7. It also includes a plate 8 to which the motor is attached by bolts or the like 9. 'The motor is also attached to the side member 5 by the usual gear housing member 10.

Removably secured to the outside of the side member 5 is saw bar 11 by bolts or the like 12 carrying the chain cutting member 13 as is also the usual practice. The saw blade is removably attached so that longer or shorter bars may be utilized. The saw bar and chain has the usual driving connection with the motor and which forms no part of the present invention.

The frame has a rearward extension 14 and a rear handle 15 and trigger mechanism 16. The frame 4 has an extension or lug 17 on its forward upper edge 18 provided With a slightly curved slot 19 longitudinally of the frame. The outside of the lug is provided with teeth or serrations 20.

A handle frame member 21 is provided of substantially rectangular shape with part of one side removed. The handle frame consists of a vertical bar 22 having a lower transversely extending leg 23 and an pper transversely extending leg 24. The leg 24 is turned downwardly parallel with the vertical bar 22 and is provided with a transverse opening 25, FIG. 3. The lower leg 23 of the handle frame is provided with {a sleeve '26 welded or otherwise rigidly secured thereto as indicated at 27 and to the inside of which is welded orotherwise rigidly secured the head 28 of the thread-ed bolt .29 which extends through an opening 30 in the lower forward edge 7 of the side frame. A threaded nut 31 engages the threaded bolt shank and attaches the end of the leg 23 thereto. A washer 32 is provided so that the leg may rotate as later shown.

The leg 24 of the handle frame is turned downwardly as indicated at 33, FIG. 1, and extends parallel with the bar 22. Clamping members 34- and 35 are provided, the clamping member 34 having teeth or serrations 36 adapted to engage the teeth 20 of the lug 17.

The side of the clamping member 34 opposite the notches 36 is provided with a groove 37 and the clamping member 35 has a like groove 38 for engaging the clamping members around the lower end of the leg .23 of the handle frame 21. The clamping members 34 and .35 are provided with aligned openings 39 and 40 for receiving a bolt 41 having a threaded end 43 for receiving a washer 42 and nut 4-4 for securing the clamping members and handle in adjusted position on the 111g 17 of vthe side frame member,

A frame brace member 45 is provided which is substantially L-shaped and extends underneath the motor 2. A tubular bearing member 46 is secured to one end of the brace 45 by bolts or rivets 47 and the leg 23 of the frame handle extends through the bearing member The rear portion of the brace 45 is turned laterally as indicated at 48 and extends transversely of the rear of the frame and has its end plugged and tapped (not shown) for receiving a threaded bolt 49, FIG. 2, for securing the rear portion of the brace to the frame member to lend rigidity to the structure. 7

A spike member 50 is secured to the inside of the side member 5 by bolts or the like 51 as for retaining the chain saw 13 in cutting engagement with a log or tree.

In order to adjust the handle frame 21 to suit the operator and with respect to the type of saw bar being used, the nut 44 on the bolt 41 is loosened until the teeth 20 and 36 respectively on the lug 1'7 and clamping member 34 will disengage, and by pressure on the handle leg 24 ofthe frame handle 21 fore and aft the clamping member will move with respect to the lug 17 and the nut 44 is again tightened to hold the handle frame in the adjusted position. The lower leg 23 will rotate in the bearing member 46 and also in the opening 30 of the lower forward portion of the side member as shown in FIG. 4.

It will be obvious from the foregoing that I have provided an improved apparatus for balancing a portable chain saw not heretofore known.

It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described one form of my invention, it is not to be limited'to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown except insofar as such limitations are included in the claims. What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: .1. An adjustable balance for portable chain saws having a side frame and a power unit mounted thereon, said side frame having forward upper and lower portions, the upper portion having an upstanding lug having a slot therein longitudinally of said frame, a handle frame forwardly of said power unit, said handle frame being of substantially rectangular shape having side and end members, one of said side members being cut away providing a free end on said side member and On the lower end member, means rotatably securing the free end of the lower end member to the forward lower portion of the side frame, means engaging the free end of the side member of the handle frame and engaging said lug, and means engaging said free end of said side member and engaging in said slot of said lug whereby said handle may be adjusted fore and aft of said side frame to balance said saw.

=2. An adjustable balance for portable chain saws having aside frame and a power unit mounted thereon, said side frame having forward upper and lower portions, the upper portion having an upstanding lug having teeth on one side thereof and a slot therein longitudinally of said frame, a handle frame forwardly of said power unit, said handle frame being of substantially rectangular shape having side and end members, one of said side members being cut away providing a free end on said side member and on the lower end member, means rotatably securing the free end of the lower end member to the forward lower portion of the side frame, clamping members engaging the free end of the side member, one of said clamping members having teeth engaging the teeth of said lug, bolt means engaging through said free end of said side member and said clamping members and engaging in said slot of said lug whereby said handle may be adjusted fore and aft of said side frame to balance said saw.

3. A chain saw apparatu comprising in combination a power unit, a frame, means mounting the power unit on the frame, said frame including a side member having forward upper and lower portions, a lug on the forward upper portion of said side member having a slot extending longitudinally with the side member, a handle frame member forwardly of said power unit having upper and lower legs extending toward said side member, means rotatably attaching said lower leg to the lower portion of said side member, said upper leg being turned downwardly alongside said lug, and means securing said downwardly turned portion of the upper leg to said lug for adjustment of the upper portion of said handle frame fore and aft with respect to said side member and said power unit.

4. A chain saw apparatus comprising in combination a power unit, a frame, means mounting the power unit on the frame, said frame including a side member having forward upper and lower portions and a lower rear portion, a lug on the forward upper portion of said side member having a slot extending longitudinally with the side member, a handle frame member forwardly of said power unit having a vertical arm and upper and lower legs extending toward said side member, means rotatably attaching said lower leg to the lower portion of said side member, said upper leg being turned downwardly alongside said lug, means securing said downwardly turned portion of the upper leg to said lug for adjustment of the upper portion of said handle frame fore and aft with respect to said side member and said power unit, and brace means having one end loosely secured to the lower leg of said handle frame and its other end to the rear portion of said side member.

5. A chain saw apparatus comprising in combination a po" er unit, a frame, means mounting the power unit on the frame, said frame including a side member having forward upper and lower portions and a lower rear portion, a lug on the forward upper portion of said side member having a slot extending longitudinally with the side member, a handle frame member forwardly of said power unit having a vertical arm and upper and lower legs extending toward said side member, means rota-tably attaching said lower leg to the lower portion of said side member, said upper leg being turned downwardly alongside said lug, means securing said downwardly turned portion of the upper leg to said lug for adjustment of the upper portion of said handle frame fore and aft with respect to said side member and said power unit, and brace means having one end sleeved to the lower leg of said handle frame and its other end secured to the rear portion of said side member.

6. A chain saw apparatus comprising in combination a power unit, a frame, means mounting the power unit on the frame, said frame including a side member having forward upper and lower portions, a lug on the forward upper portion of said side member having a slot extending longitudinally with the side member, a handle frame member forwardly of said power unit having a vertical arm and upper and lower legs extending toward said side member, means rotatably attaching said'lower leg to the lower portion of said side member, said upper leg being turned downwardly alongside said lug, clamping members secured to the lower ree end of said upper leg and to said slot in said lug for adjustment of the upper portion of said handle frame fore and aft with respect to said side member and said power unit.

7. A chain saw apparatus comprising in combination a power unit, a frame, means mounting the power unit on the frame, said frame including a side member having forward upper and lower portions and a lower rear portion, a lug on the forward upper portion of said side member having teeth on one side and a slot extending longitudinally with the side member, a handle frame member forwardly of said power unit having a vertical arm and upper and lower legs extending toward said side member, means rotatably attaching said lower leg to the lower portion of said side member, said upper leg being turned downwardly alongside said toothed lug, clamping members secured to the lower free end of said upper leg and to said slot in said lug for adjustment of the upper portion of said handle frame fore and aft'with respect to said side member and said power unit, and brace means having one end loosely secured to the lower leg of said handle frame and its other end to the rear portion of said side member.

8. A chain saw apparatus comprising in combination a power unit, a frame, means mounting the power unit on the frame, said frame including a side member having forward upper and lower portions, a lug on the forward upper portion of said side member having teeth on one side and a slot extending longitudinally with the side member, a handle frame member forwardly of said power unit having a vertical arm and upper and lower legs extending toward said side member, means rotatably attaching said lower leg to the lower portion of said side member, said upper leg being turned downwardly alongside said toothed lug, clamping members embracing the end of said downwardly turned portion of the upper leg, and a bolt engaging through said end and said clamping members and engaging in said slot for adjustment of the upper portion of said handle frame fore and aft with respect to said side member and said power unit, one of said clamping members having teeth engaging the teeth on said lug.

9. A chain saw apparatus comprising in combination a power unit, a frame, means mounting the power unit on the frame, said frame including a side member having forward upper and lower portions and a lower rear portion, a lug on the forward upper portion of said side member having teeth on one side and a slot extending longitudinally with the side member, a handle frame member forwardly of said power unit having a vertical arm and upper and lower legs extending toward said side member, means rotatably attaching said lower leg to the lower portion of said side member, said upper leg being turned downwardly alongside said toothed lug, clamping members embracing the end of said downwardly turned portion of the upper leg, and a bolt engaging through said end and said clamping members and engaging in said slot for adjustment of the upper portion of said handle frame fore and aft with respect to said side member and said power unit, one of said clamping members having teeth engaging the teeth on said lug, and brace means having one end loosely secured to the lower leg of said handle frame and its other end to the rear portion of said side member. 

